Food
17 brands
Crumbl
FoodScooter's Coffee
FoodAuntie Anne's
FoodCharleys Cheesesteaks
FoodMcAlister's Deli
FoodBuffalo Wild Wings GO
FoodCold Stone Creamery
FoodMarco's Pizza
FoodNothing Bundt Cakes
FoodNothing Bundt Cakes
FoodPanera Bread
FoodTaco Bell
FoodDenny's
FoodJamba
FoodApplebee's
FoodBaskin-Robbins
FoodSchlotzsky's
FoodFood Category at a Glance
17 brands compete in food, with an average minimum investment of $758K and an average royalty of 5.8%. 88% disclose Item 19 revenue data — above the database-wide average, giving buyers in this category better visibility into unit economics before committing capital.
12 brands are growing and 5 are contracting by net unit count. A category where more brands are growing than shrinking signals healthy demand — but individual brand trajectory matters more than category averages. Check each brand's 3-year unit trend in their FDD Item 20 before investing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a food franchise? ▾
Investment ranges for food franchises in our database span from $156K to $4.7M. The lowest-cost option is Schlotzsky's starting at $600K, while the most expensive is Applebee's at up to $4.7M. These figures come from official Franchise Disclosure Documents and include franchise fees, build-out, equipment, and initial working capital.
Which food franchise has the best performance? ▾
Based on our health score methodology, Crumbl leads the food category with a score of 94/100. The health score combines unit growth rate, system size, investment efficiency, and whether the franchisor discloses Item 19 revenue data. 15 of 17 food brands disclose revenue data in their FDD, making direct financial performance comparison possible for those brands.
What are typical royalty rates for food franchises? ▾
The average royalty rate across 17 food brands with disclosed rates is 5.8%. Royalties are typically calculated as a percentage of gross revenue and paid weekly or monthly. Some brands also charge a marketing/advertising fund fee of 1-3% on top of royalties. When comparing franchises, look at the total ongoing fee burden (royalty + ad fund + technology fees) rather than royalty alone — the stacking effect can significantly impact unit-level profitability.